Sunken Berry Springs car a ‘warning’, as govt rolls out Towards Zero Road Safety Action Plan
A car that became submerged in Top End floodwaters is a strong ‘warning’ to motorists as wet weather continues in the Territory, authorities say. It comes as the latest road safety action plan is opened.
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A driver has narrowly escaped a wet and wild nightmare after their car was submerged in water near the Darwin River Dam.
St John NT operations manager Craig Garraway said emergency services were called to the scene on Hopewell Rd at about 6am on Tuesday.
Mr Garraway said the owner of the vehicle arrived soon afterwards, having briefly left to organise a tow truck for the vehicle.
“No injuries there, but some work to get that vehicle out,” he said.
Mr Garraway said he understood police and firefighters used a fire vehicle to drag the car out of the water before it could be loaded onto a tow truck.
He said it was a “warning to people” against crossing flooded roads and rivers.
The hairy incident comes as the Towards Zero Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028 discussion paper launches.
St John NT ambulance services director Andrew Thomas said he supported the action plan and warned how critical it was for Territorians to stay safe on the roads.
An average of 40 people per year died on NT roads between 2012-2021.
“Please drive to the conditions, wear a seat belt, don’t be distracted and certainly don’t speed,” Mr Thomas said.
“Slowing down is the single most effective way to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the road.
“Wearing your seatbelt can increase your chance of surviving a crash by up to 50 per cent.
“The last thing our paramedics want is to arrive on the scene of an accident where another family has lost a loved one.”
Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Joel Bowden said the paper set out 10 priority areas for the plan, each of which is now open to consultation.
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